OFFICIAL STATEMENT

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Nomor : 967/GIPIBALI - BTB/K - XI /2017

The Bali To urism Hospitality Task Force informs that the Indonesian Government has closed Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport starting from 7:15 am local time on Monday, November 27, 2017 until 7:00 am on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 .

The decision to close the airport was taken after careful consideration by national aviation authorities, the Center for Geological Disaster Mitigation and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. While the sun is shining and there is little sign of vo lcanic ash in the southern regions of Bali, evidence of volcanic ash at higher altitudes on aviation approach and departure paths has prompted the decision to close the airport. Authorities say the quality of the atmosphere over Bali as it affects avia tion safety is under continuous review with a decision to be made on whether the current airport closure will continue beyond 7:00 am on Tuesday morning.

Officials advise that people in south Bali - an area some 60 - 70 kilometres from the volcano - are i n no direct threat from the volcano’s eruption. The “danger zone” is a small area wi th a radius of approximately 10 kilometers from Mount Agung’s crater. All tourist activities and trekking activities near Mount Agung have been suspended until further not ice.

Tourist visitors in Bali are reminded there is no reason to panic and are advised to stay in their hotels where the hotel management and the relevant government agencies will keep them fully informed on developments. Those who were scheduled to ch eck out from their hotel on Monday or Tuesday should contact the hotel’s reception as most hotels are providing the best available commercial rate for those needing to extend their stay. Hotel ’s reception may also assist in contacting the relevant Airline companies local offices .

Visitors with an urgent need to continue their journey might cons ider an overland journey by bus and ferry from Bali to Surabaya (approximately 12 hours) – the nearest international airport. Hotels and tour operators can assist in making such arrange ments.

For the latest developments on Mount Agung and flights to and from Bali visit the Ministry of Tourism official website at www.indonesia.travel/agung